Apparatus for Fixating an Electronic Device to Another Object

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is affixed to another object through the use of this apparatus, which consists of one or more sleeves surrounding the periphery and backside of the electronic device and one or more elements protruding from the sleeves so that the protruding elements can be used to fasten the electronic device to another object.

CROSS-REFERENCE OR RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past several years, there has been a proliferation of handheldelectronic devices that have been readily adapted by consumers. Thedevices include, for example, the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod Touch,the Microsoft Zune, the Sony PlayStation Portable, and the Garmin NUVI.Each of these devices, and many others, include a robust video screenthat allows for the viewing of video files, full-length feature films,video games, and GPS instructions. The user, however, may wish to usethe device from time-to-time without having to hold the device in his orher hands. For example, an airplane passenger may wish to enjoy a snackand a beverage while still viewing the movie file playing on his AppleiPhone or other electronic device. Instead of having to rest theelectronic device on his tray table or lap, this invention allows theuser to fasten the electronic device to another object—such as the hookof the tray table or the seat back pocket. Thus, allowing for hands-freeviewing of the movie file.

While there exist many covers for these devices in the marketplace, noneare specifically design to fasten the device to another object. Insteadmost electronic device covers exist merely to protect the device fromdamage. Moreover, most device covers are designed to be stream-linedwith no protrusions extending from the cover. This invention, on theother hand, is specifically designed with protrusions so thatprotrusions may be used for fastening.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention, an electronic device issurrounded by either one or two of sleeves along the periphery and/orthe backside of the device-leaving the entire screen viewable withoutobstruction by the sleeve (s).

According to another aspect of this invention, there is either a singleor plurality of protrusions extending from the backside of the sleeves(ie., behind the device).

According to another aspect of this invention, the protrusions may beused to fasten the electronic device to another object. These and otheraspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood byreference to the following detail description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two verticalsleeves and a single horizontal element connecting the two verticalsleeves.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two verticalsleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with a singlehorizontal element connecting the two vertical sleeves.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two verticalsleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with a singlehorizontal element connecting the two vertical sleeves affixed to thetray table latch on a airplane seat by using the single horizontalelement.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two verticalsleeves and multiple horizontals element connecting the two verticalsleeves.

FIG. 5 a is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with twovertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device withmultiple horizontal elements connecting the two vertical sleeves for aback-side perspective.

FIG. 5 b is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with twovertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device withmultiple horizontal elements connecting the two vertical sleeves for afront-side perspective.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two verticalsleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with multiplehorizontal elements connecting the two vertical sleeves affixed to anairplane tray table latch by using the multiple horizontal elements

FIG. 7 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a singlesleeve with a single protruding element.

FIG. 8 a is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a singlesleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronicdevice with a single protruding element.

FIG. 8 b is the backside of a drawing of an embodiment of the inventionwith a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of anelectronic device with a single protruding element.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a singlesleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronicdevice with a single protruding element affixing the single sleeve tothe seat back pocket on an airplane seat by using the single protrudingelement

FIG. 10 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a drawing ofan embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve with multipleprotruding elements.

FIG. 11 a is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a singlesleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronicdevice with multiple protruding elements.

FIG. 11 b is the backside of a drawing of an embodiment of the inventionwith a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of anelectronic device with multiple protruding elements.

FIG. 12 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a singlesleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronicdevice with multiple protruding elements affixing the single sleeve tothe seat back pocket on an airplane seat by using the multipleprotruding elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a specific embodiment of the invention. The rightsleeve 1 surrounds one end of the periphery of the electronic device,while the left sleeve 2 surrounds the other end of the periphery of thedevice. The size of the sleeve openings will vary based on the type ofelectronic device for which the invention is specifically applied. Thatis, the sleeve-openings for a device such as an Apple iPhone willnecessarily be smaller than the sleeve openings for a device such as aSony PlayStation portable. The two sleeves are connected by 3 theprotruding element. This element serves the dual function of bothconnecting the two sleeves, but also serving as the mechanism thatspecifically allows for the fastening of the electronic device toanother object.

FIG. 2 shows the invention with an electronic device 4 inserted betweenthe two sleeves 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the screen of theelectronic device 4 a is not obstructed by 1 or 2 because the sleevesare places around the periphery of the device at 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 shows the invention with an electronic device 4 inserted betweenthe two sleeves, 1 and 2, and attached to a tray table latch 7—typicallyfound on airplanes and trains. The protruding element 3 is placed behindthe tray table latch while the latch is in the upright position, andthis allows the electronic device to be held in place, without the useof the users hands. Once fastened the user can view the content of theelectronic device in a hands-free manner.

FIG. 4 is another drawing of the specific embodiment of the invention.The right sleeve 1 surrounds one end of the periphery of the electronicdevice, while the left sleeve 2 surrounds the other end of the peripheryof the device. In this embodiment, however, there are multipleprotruding elements 3, 8, and 9. Three elements is merely one embodimentof the invention-two protruding elements or more than three protrudingelements may also be employed depending on the particular electronicdevice and the object to which the user wished to fasten the electronicdevice. The multiple protruding elements are functional in that theyallow the user to select one or more of the protruding elements to useduring the fastening process. In some instances a more secure and/ordesirable fastening to another object may occur by using all of theprotruding elements or a protruding element other than the top-level 3protruding element.

FIG. 5 a illustrates the backside of FIG. 4 with the inclusion of anelectronic device 4. In this specific embodiment of the invention, thebackside of the electronic device 10 is partially covered by themultiple protruding elements 8 and 9. FIG. 5 b illustrates the frontside of FIG. 4 with the inclusion of an electronic device 4. Like otherembodiment of the invention, the two sleeves 1 and 2 are installedaround the periphery 5 and 6 of the electronic device 4, and the screenof the electronic device 4 a is not obstructed by the invention.

FIG. 6 shows the invention with an electronic device 4 inserted betweenthe two sleeves, 1 and 2, and attached to a tray table latch 7—typicallyfound on airplanes and trains. The protruding element 8 is placed behindthe tray table latch while the latch is in the upright position, andthis allows the electronic device to be held in place, without the useof the users hands. Protruding element 8 is selected for fasteningbecause by using a different protruding element, the user is able toconnect the electronic device at a different and perhaps more desirableviewing angle. While not pictures, the user may also elect to usemultiple protruding elements, for example 3 and 8, to create a moresecure and/or more desirable fastening.

FIG. 7 is a specific embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, asingle sleeve 11 that surround the entire backside of the electronicdevice along with the periphery of the front-side of the device isemployed. In this specific embodiment a single protruding device 12 a isattached to the backside of the sleeve at 12 b and 12 c to allow forfastening to a fixed device. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 b, the singleprotrusion 12 a is a clip. This is a mere example of the types of theprotrusions that may be fastened to the backside of the single sleevethat will permit for fastening to a fixed object. Other types ofprotrusions, not picture, might include, without limitation,Velcro™-type protrusions, a magnetic protrusion(s), and others.

FIG. 8 a shows the invention with an electronic device 13 insertedwithin the single sleeve 11. As shown in FIG. 8 a, the screen of theelectronic device 13 a is not obstructed by 11 because the sleeve isplaces around the periphery of the device, for example at 14 and 15.FIG. 8 b shows a backside view of FIG. 8 a with a single sleeve 11 andprotrusion 12 a.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve 11containing an electronic device 13 fastened to, for example, a seat-backpocket 17 typically found on airplane seats, train seats, and in theback seats of many passenger automobiles. The protrusion 12 a is placeover the top-opening of the seat-back pocket and securely fastened forhands-free viewing by the user.

FIG. 10 is a specific embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, asingle sleeve 11 that surround the entire backside of the electronicdevice along with the periphery of the front-side of the device isemployed. In this specific embodiment multiple protruding devices 15 aand 16 a are attached to the backside of the sleeve at 15 b and 15 c and16 b and 16 c, respectively, to allow for fastening to a fixed device.In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 b, the multiple protrusion 15 a and 16 a areclips. This is a mere example of the types of the protrusions that maybe fastened to the backside of the single sleeve that will permit forfastening to a fixed object. Other types of protrusions, not picture,might include, without limitation, Velcro™-type protrusions, a magneticprotrusion(s), and others. Further, the fact that clips are pictures inFIGS. 10, 11 a, 11 b, and 12 are two clips, this specific embodiment ofthe inventions calls for multiple protruding devices, and may includemore than two protruding devices.

FIG. 11 a shows the invention with an electronic device 13 insertedwithin the single sleeve 11. As shown in FIG. 11 a, the screen of theelectronic device 13 a is not obstructed by 11 because the sleeve isplaces around the periphery of the device, for example at 14 and 15.FIG. 11 b shows a backside view of FIG. 1 a with a single sleeve 11 andmultiple protrusions 15 a and 16 a.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve 11containing an electronic device 13 fastened to, for example, a seat-backpocket 17 typically found on airplane seats, train seats, and in theback seats of many passenger automobiles. The protrusions 15 a and 16 aare placed over the top-opening of the seat-back pocket and securelyfastened for hands-free viewing by the user.

1. An electronic device holder consisting of two vertical sleevessurrounding the periphery of the device connected along the backside ofthe device by a single horizontal element whereby the single horizontalelement may be used to affixed the electronic device to another objectso that the electronic device can be held in a substantially fixedplace.
 2. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic device is capable of displaying video.
 3. An electronicdevice holder according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device iscapable of playing audio.
 4. An electronic device holder according toclaim 1, wherein the electronic device is a capable of playing videogames.
 5. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic device is capable of displaying audio and/or video navigationinstructions.
 6. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherethe electronic device is capable of displaying digital photographs. 7.An electronic device holder consisting of a single sleeve surroundingthe entire backside and periphery of the device whereby the backside ofthe sleeve contains an element protruding from the sleeve so that theprotruding element may be used to affixed the electronic device toanother object so that the electronic device can be held in asubstantially fixed place.
 8. An electronic device holder according toclaim 7, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.9. An electronic device holder according to claim 7, wherein theelectronic device is capable of playing audio.
 10. An electronic deviceholder according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is a capableof playing video games.
 11. An electronic device holder according toclaim 7, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audioand/or video navigation instructions.
 12. An electronic device holderaccording to claim 7, where the electronic device is capable ofdisplaying digital photographs.
 13. An electronic device holderconsisting of two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of thedevice connected along the backside of the device by a plurality ofhorizontal connections whereby the some or all of the horizontalconnections may be used to affixed the electronic device to anotherobject so that the electronic device can be held in a substantiallyfixed place.
 14. An electronic device holder according to claim 13,wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.
 15. Anelectronic device holder according to claim 13, wherein the electronicdevice is capable of playing audio.
 16. An electronic device holderaccording to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is a capable ofplaying video games.
 17. An electronic device holder according to claim13, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audio and/orvideo navigation instructions.
 18. An electronic device holder accordingto claim 13, where the electronic device is capable of displayingdigital photographs.
 19. An electronic device holder consisting of asingle sleeve surrounding the entire backside and periphery of thedevice whereby the backside of the sleeve contains a plurality ofelements protruding from the sleeve so that one or more of theprotruding element may be used to affixed the electronic device toanother object so that the electronic device can be held in asubstantially fixed place.
 20. An electronic device holder according toclaim 19, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.21. An electronic device holder according to claim 19, wherein theelectronic device is capable of playing audio.
 22. An electronic deviceholder according to claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a capableof playing video games.
 23. An electronic device holder according toclaim 19, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audioand/or video navigation instructions.
 24. An electronic device holderaccording to claim 19, where the electronic device is capable ofdisplaying digital photographs.